FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys open the 2021 NFL regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 9 at Raymond James Stadium. The Cowboys finished in third place in the NFC East with a 6-10 record in 2020, and have missed the playoffs the past two seasons.
While Dak Prescott has not played in the preseason, Cooper Rush beat out Garrett Gilbert for the No. 2 quarterback job. But the Cowboys firmly believe Prescott will be ready for the opener after he suffered a latissimus strain in his right shoulder.
The Cowboys' roster is top-heavy with high-priced stars and they will be counting on low-cost veterans and draft picks to step up. Will those players be able to come through if called upon due to injury or ineffectiveness? Coach Mike McCarthy often points out the Green Bay Packers needed 77 players when they won the Super Bowl in 2010. The good news is that younger players, such as wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, cornerback Trevon Diggs and linebacker Micah Parsons, appear ready for big-time roles.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Prescott, Rush
All eyes will be on Prescott because of his return from a major ankle injury as well as his inactivity for a good portion of training camp because of the shoulder injury. He might need time to work back to full effectiveness. While Rush made a late push to claim the backup job over Gilbert, the Cowboys could still be on the lookout for outside help, too.
RUNNING BACK (3): Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, RB to be named later
The Cowboys believe Elliott will regain his form this season based on better conditioning and a healthy line. Pollard can be more than a change-of-pace back. Rico Dowdle went on injured reserve last week because of a hip injury, opening up a spot. Perhaps fullback Nick Ralston can sneak into that role, but ideally they would like to have another tailback and can claim someone off waivers or add a low-cost free agent.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Lamb, Cedrick Wilson, Noah Brown
It's hard to make a case for a sixth wide receiver, especially with the needs they'll have at other spots. Malik Turner's foot injury hurt his cause. Simi Fehoko didn't take advantage of his opportunities but could be a practice squad pick, as well as Brandon Smith. Lamb is on the COVID-19 list, which could potentially help the Cowboys at the final cut-down date because he would not count toward the 53 if he is not cleared.
TIGHT END (3): Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, Sean McKeon
McKeon has an ankle injury that will keep him out a few weeks of the regular season, but in order for him to return this season, he needs to be on the roster for a day. After that, he can be placed on injured reserve, which could mean a return of Jeremy Sprinkle or Ralston.
OFFENSIVE LINE (11): Tyron Smith, Connor Williams, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, La'el Collins, Connor McGovern, Ty Nsekhe, Terence Steele, Matt Farniok, Josh Ball, Brandon Knight.
The top six are set. Farniok could be the backup center. Nsekhe or Steele could be the swing tackle. Knight has not performed as well as expected, but offensive linemen are difficult to find. Ball has missed most of training camp with an ankle injury and while this will likely be a redshirt year for him, in order for him to practice this season, he needs to be on the roster for a day.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): DeMarcus Lawrence, Carlos Watkins, Neville Gallimore, Randy Gregory, Osa Odighizuwa, Dorance Armstrong, Tarell Basham, Brent Urban, Quinton Bohanna
Gallimore falls into the McKeon/Ball category because of a dislocated elbow. The hope is he returns in four-to-six weeks after getting hurt in the preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cowboys like their depth here, but finding room for Bradlee Anae was difficult. Perhaps he can sneak onto the practice squad. Justin Hamilton could also find his way onto the 53-man roster. Like Lamb, Watkins is on the COVID-19 list and might not count vs. the 53 by cut-down day. Trysten Hill (knee) and Chauncey Golston (hamstring) will start the season on the physically unable to perform list and not count toward the 53.
LINEBACKER (5): Leighton Vander Esch, Parsons, Keanu Neal, Jaylon Smith, Jabril Cox
This position group is a little light with Luke Gifford getting caught in the wash. McCarthy said this might be the most talented linebacker group he has had. Parsons could be the league's defensive rookie of the year. Vander Esch is looking at a bounce-back season. Smith's role is up in the air.
CORNERBACK (6): Diggs, Anthony Brown, Jourdan Lewis, Maurice Canady, Kelvin Joseph, Nahshon Wright.
This is as deep as the Cowboys have been at corner in some time, although they do have some question marks. Brown has held off Joseph in a fight to start opposite Diggs. The Cowboys hope Diggs, their 2020 second-round draft pick, develops into a lockdown corner in his second season. Lewis and Canady are viable slot options.
SAFETY (5): Damontae Kazee, Donovan Wilson, Jayron Kearse, Malik Hooker, Israel Mukuamu
Kazee has made a decent amount of plays this summer. Wilson showed last season he can be a difference-maker and find the ball. Hooker is coming back from an Achilles tear as well and took the final spot over Darian Thompson, but Thompson shouldn't be counted out because of his special teams' ability.
SPECIALISTS (4): Greg Zuerlein (PK), Bryan Anger (P), Jake McQuaide (LS), C.J. Goodwin
Zuerlein has been dealing with a back injury that kept him off the field most of camp. Goodwin is a cornerback by trade, but ultimately he's special teams guy. If the Cowboys need to get creative with a roster spot or two, they could potentially cut McQuaide or Anger for a day and have them return because they don't go through waivers.